HiBy R4 player review - hard to believe price

HiBy's new player offers an interesting design, decent sound and overall smooth experience. And all that for the lowest price we've seen for an Android DAPs.
Official site: store.hiby.com/products/hiby-r4
0:00 - Introduction
2:25 - Unboxing and accessories
4:18 - Design and controls
8:42 - Firmware
11:34 - Sound
18:26 - Comparisons
Tracks mentioned in the review
Wardruna - Wunjo
Metallica - Sad But True
Whiplash OST - Caravan

[@rolfathan]

You've been doing such detailed, good reviews for years. Honestly, thank you. Your efforts and passion deserve more recognition.

[@PortaFi]

thank you!

[@Jaawaudio]

Great review! This DAP seems like an absolute winner, seen so much praise for it, your review might have just sealed the deal :D

[@TSUNDERE_CATTO]

I'm really considering the R4 before, the price to performance ratio is insane. But a few weeks ago, I saw a listing of a used, but almost new condition R5 Gen 2 for $220. Since one of my deal breaker for a DAP is a shorter battery life, I ended up buying the R5 Gen 2, it claims that it can run for more than 30 hours in single ended and less than 30 for the balance mode. NGL, I'm really jealous of the R4's specs that rivals even Hiby's higher tier DAPs such as the R5 and R6 series. I'll probably buy the R4 if I didn't discover the pre owned R5 II. I'm glad that R4 exist now, bang for the buck specs in a very competitive price point!

[@Wainster]

Always great thought goes into your reviews, well done again. I think HiBy should be applauded here, in recent years prices in our hobby have kept creeping up - so to bring these specifications at this price is great for the first time DAP buyers...

[@PortaFi]

thank you! yes, HiBy is working hard to give more for less. I also appreciate that they're working with design, always offering something new and fresh

[@ThreeDogShow]

I preordered it yesterday. Got the all black model

[@PortaFi]

welcome to the club!

[@arshedfazal]

Did u receive to hand yet?

[@ThreeDogShow]

@@arshedfazal nope. They said it should ship now

[@arshedfazal]

@@ThreeDogShow awesome! Fingers crossed and I too ordered an all black 4 days ago. Literally can’t wait and scavenging the internet for any and all reviews about the unit

[@deadline7610]

Nicely Done. Did you get a chance to try with a streaming service ? A new select for you playlist "Rolling Over" by Low Roar How's your new headphone

[@PortaFi]

Thank you! I tried it with Deezer. And thank you for a suggestion Which headphones you mean?

[@nhecos2998]

Great review as usual. If possible can you please confirm if the file transfer data rate on USB is indeed USB3? Also, from a sound quality point of you, do you think this is a considerable upgrade over the Hiby R5? Thank you so much for your work.

[@PortaFi]

thank you! as for a files transfer, sorry, I didn't measure that, I just use card reader, it's more convenient to me as for R5, if it's about the first version, R4 is more neutral and balanced. if it's about the recent one, it'll be slightly better than R4

[@jaybrodnax]

I love the visual design

[@vonelli241]

Good to see your face finally. 🙂

[@ying27]

Very nice review! I am still using my Hiby R6 (1st gen). Do you think this new R4 will be an upgrade over the R6?

[@PortaFi]

I don't remember R6 well, so not sure here. But probably I'd still considered an upgrade at least because of a newer chipset

[@Poschmane]

Ii like the designs Hiby is throwing but as u said the cheaper ones R2 and R3 dont have this resolution like ibasso, shanling, fiio or hidizs devices in this price class....but i never tried higher priced hiby daps yet.. I always wanted to try once a hiby with this darwin architecture.

[@PortaFi]

TBH, I don't remember iBasso and FiiO players in the R3-2 price tier. As for Shanling, their M1S - isn't better than R3-2

[@javi1981]

Hello PortaFi! Currently which of all the iems is your favorite? I'm looking for an iem end game, the price doesn't matter and I see that I agree a lot with your tastes in DAPs and iems! I really value your work and your analysis, big hug!

[@PortaFi]

Well, my favourite one is still IMR Rah, I used to them for many years. From the models that it's possible to find I can mention CA Supermoon for example…

[@CinemaDemocratica]

With the R6iii you can side-load an app that will distort the soundfield width. Can you do that with this one too?

[@PortaFi]

It's just an Android, so you can do the same things here too

[@nhecos2998]

Any plans to review the Ibasso DX260? Thanks!

[@PortaFi]

no, I don't have it in near plans

[@kiki_indra]

The black... So handsome...

[@s1nonnn589]

How's this compared to ka17 technical wise especially soundstage, imaging, layering and details?

[@PortaFi]

sorry, didn't do comparisons. by memory KA17 is more refined

[@duytranhuu8241]

Could you please give me some advice? Should I pick the Hiby R4 or Shanling M3 Ultra in terms of sound quality. Many thanks. Really appreciate.

[@PortaFi]

Hello, if we'd simplify everything a bit, chose Shanling for a more warmth and punch, or HiBy for a more neutral sound

[@mrigankadeyMD]

how does it compare to shanling m3 ultra ? i bought the m3u due to smaller size based on your review. should i get this one instead ? would really like your opinion 🥺

[@PortaFi]

M3 Ultra is a bit more warmer, tighter, more dynamic and emotional

[@mrigankadeyMD]

thanks for clarifying, looking at the specs m3u has more updated dac chips but less power and android 10​ and slightly less battery so it seems new r4 is not an upgrade. will wait for more updated lineup of hiby@@PortaFi

[@dougieshizzle]

Grabbed this over the Sony NW-a306 for the system wide bit perfect audio. Going to be a dedicated Apple Music streamer for my 2.1 setup. My current DAP is a Sony NW-a55 with Mr. Walkman firmware, really hope the sound quality of the R4 is just as good if not better Also you can save $10 with 'Welcome10' promo code, phenomenal deal at $239.00 shipped and no tax!

[@PortaFi]

thank you for sharing!

[@lokrj]

Wow does the same price NW-A306 not even have systemwide bit-perfect audio? What's the point of buying a DAP then if it is so.

[@dougieshizzle]

@@lokrj Apparently it does not :(

[@bohdan4875]

@@lokrj A306 better for TWS headphones

[@PortaFi]

@@bohdan4875 for TWS headphones you can simply use your smartphone

[@ElNINETEENTH]

Compared to Hiby R6P2 how to they differ in terms of sound ? Does the 525 power output is a quality power or just a number ?

[@PortaFi]

> Compared to Hiby R6P2 how to they differ in terms of sound ? R6Pro2 is much better > Does the 525 power output is a quality power or just a number ? Sorry, I don't understand this question. I didn't measure its output power

[@ElNINETEENTH]

@@PortaFi what I meant is R4 has more power than R6P2 so does that mean it will drive sensitive iems better than R6P2?

[@PortaFi]

no, it won't. first of all, sensetive IEMs doesn't require more power, and also R6 Pro 2 features a much more advanced DAC/amp/etc. So will sound better

[@darbukadrummer]

Tempotec v6 or hiby r4?¿

[@Rumeel12708]

This things looks sexy, I would love to add colored skins with button combos! Uughh I'm debating on this or MoonDrops MIAD01. 🤔 So far the only review of the MIAD said that it separates every element in the song! 😱. I HOPE TO SEE YOUR REVIEW SOON!

[@PortaFi]

unfortunately, it's not highly likely that I'll get MIAD01 for review in near future. But I'm pretty sure that there will be a lot of reviews in near future

[@yamanjoseph]

I wish more reviewers would take a look at the Aune M1p dap. It has phenomenal sound at an inexpensive price. It has some quirks and is just a basic player but it's still pretty great. I can't understand why it gets so little attention paid to it.

[@kawaiikoto8800]

There's practically no advertisement for it, and Aune isn't really active on big reviewers like Crinacle's Discord or Headphoneshow forum to promote them.

[@PortaFi]

Unfortunately, Aune isn't represented at local distributors, and without that I can't get a loan :)

[@lonestar1664]

how does it work as a streaming solution or source with Xduoo 05 Pro?

[@PortaFi]

I don't have this xDuoo, but most likely, it'll work OK, because it's just an android device

[@danielthomas8456]

How would this compare with the Shanling M3 Ultra?

[@PortaFi]

Shanling is slightly warmer, bit more "analogue" sounding and with more accented emotions and dynamics

[@farukuruc]

Should I sell my M11 Plus ESS for this DAP? I want to use system wide PEQ.

[@PortaFi]

If you're ok with downgrading, it can be an option, as R4 is more basic in terms of sound. Otherwise, you can consider newer FiiO models (they've added system-wide EQ), or more high-end HiBys

[@krishnaprasad4325]

Can we use this even after Android support over ? like a non android digital player ?

[@PortaFi]

Even if android support will be over, it will still work. But I don't think it'll be a thing in a forseeable future. I think hardware will became outdated faster :)

[@chihinli]

The design reminds me of Pioneer XDP-100R dap.

[@PortaFi]

yes, there is a slight similarity

[@jorgeluisfernandez2560]

This dap has bitperfect? I want a dap to stream apple music and download loseless music. Thanks

[@PortaFi]

Not sure what you mean by "bitperfect" here, but it has SRC bypass so it'll be as "bitperfect" as possible

[@lmcteo]

Does the black scratch or worse, chip off easily?

[@PortaFi]

I don't know :) Only time will tell. I use it for a few weeks only, so far - so good

[@Hijynx87]

is it better than my Shanling m3ultra?

[@PortaFi]

no, it's not better, so enjoy your M3 U :)

[@prabhuja7554]

Ahw 😊finally saw you...

[@PortaFi]

nice to meet you :)

[@moviemanstuff7108]

Can I play Apple Music on this device?

[@PortaFi]

yes

[@moviemanstuff7108]

@@PortaFi thanks!

[@suntanglory]

Hiby lack thinking ability,a player like this should 50 hours plus battery life by now.Battery life is more important than power output for daily use.l dont know what this dap makers are thinking,even at 20 dollars l would not buy this for the terrible battery life.Thank you.

[@PortaFi]

Unfortunately, we can't do anything with physics. Those players are created for those who want to get a better DAC chip(s) and amplification. And that components require power. If someone need just a longer battery life time, some inexpensive android phone will give that

[@suntanglory]

@@PortaFi How does a better dac require power?You can still have these dac without the amplification that reduces the battery life..

[@bohdan4875]

Думал себе сони А306 взять , явно возьму лучше этот Хайби все таки разница 250 и 450 долларов имеет значение) тем более хайби на много технологичней выходит

[@MrPatosexyhot]

How it could be tus R4 against a Tempotec V6 talking just in sound terms?

[@PortaFi]

R4 is less bright to my ears and because of that sounds slightly more balanced